Don’t You Think It’s Time to Retire the Title ‘Grammar Nazi’?

After a disturbing rise in hate crimes has some people rethinking the term ‘Grammar Nazi,’ maybe it’s time we retire the phrase once and for all.

It was several years ago that a reader complained about the term “Grammar Nazi.”

Here was the comment the reader left:

“As a Jew I think its disgusting how the term ‘Nazi’ is thrown around like it is today. My great grandparents died at Auschwitz; my family will never forget what the Nazis did to our people. Be careful when you use terminology like this…”

As it happened, my use of the term was merely in quoting someone else who identified themselves as such.

But it’s clear the term is considered offensive to some people.

I’m not Jewish, but it really doesn’t require being Jewish to understand why the term could be considered offensive, even when the term is used in a negative way against someone else. After all, it’s not like a “Grammar Nazi” is perceived as a positive personality.

One of his commenters said Czechs use the word fascist in a similar way to describe someone “who follows rules ‘too much’ or ‘too literally.’”

But in recent years, and particularly in recent weeks, as racial tensions have risen, there’s a new call to bury the term.

“Grammar Girl’s” Mignon Fogerty says she has resisted the title of “Grammar Nazi” for years, even adding to her bio a note that she hates the phrase. But now, she says, it’s time to give some serious consideration to retiring the phrase. There are, she says, plenty of alternate phrases to use — from “grammarista” to “grammando.”

I suggested the phrase “Grammar Police,” which seems to be generally far less offensive, though a series of incidents involving police officers may eventually call that usage into question as well.

How do you feel about the term ‘Grammar Nazi’? Is it time for it to disappear?

Patrick is a Christian with more than 26 years experience in professional writing, producing and marketing. His professional background also includes social media, reporting for broadcast television and the web, directing, videography and photography. He enjoys getting to know people over coffee and spending time with his dog.

About Me

I'm Patrick, a Christian, TV producer, writer and marketer with more than 26 years of professional experience. I started this blog 13 years ago as a place to search for common sense that seems to be missing from so many topics these days. I enjoy getting to know people over coffee and spending time with my Collie.

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